Mauricio Pochettino hopes Christopher Nkunku injury is 'nothing big' after Chelsea star goes down in Dortmund draw

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is hopeful that Christopher Nkunku’s knee injury is “nothing big” after the forward was forced off in a draw with Borussia Dortmund.

Nkunku, who joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in a £52 million deal in June, was named in the starting line-up for Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against Dortmund in Chicago.

But he went down clutching his leg with little more than 20 minutes on the clock and was forced off to be replaced by Mykhaylo Mudryk.

Chelsea went on to draw the game, with both goals coming in the final 10 minutes; Marius Wolf put the German side in front before substitute Mason Burstow netted an 89th-minute equaliser.

After the game, Nkunku’s wellbeing was the major talking point.

“The doctors are checking him, and I hope it is not a big issue,” Pochettino said.

“He fell in the action which was maybe a penalty, and he feels something in his knee, but we hope it is nothing big.

“We hope he can be back quickly with the team. We need a few days to assess him.”

The pitch at Soldier Field didn’t appear to be in the best condition, having hosted an Ed Sheeran concert a few days earlier.

But Pochettino brushed away suggestions that the stadium, home to NFL side Chicago Bears, may have played a part in the injury.

“We took some risks because the pitch is not perfect because the facilities are used for a different sport,” said the manager.

“We won't blame the pitch for the injury though. For me, it was bad luck.”

The Dortmund draw marked the end of Chelsea’s pre-season tour, where they beat Wrexham, Brighton and Fulham and drew against Newcastle and Dortmund.

Competitive action starts in 10 days’ time, when Chelsea host Liverpool in a blockbuster opening game of the Premier League season on Sunday, August 13.

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